The Vinum Weinguide Deutschland is a leading German wine guide. The Vinum Weinguide Deutschland 2026 was released recently, presenting Vinum's choice of Germany’s best 1,000 wine producers and reviewing more than 13,500 wines on 1,080 pages.

5 out of 5 stars („world class“) were awarded to 27 estates.

Sachsen - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2026

In the Sachsen wine region, there is 1 producer with 4 stars, there is 1 producer with 3.5 stars and there are 4 producers with 3 stars.

Annette Schiller and I have visited all 5 of the 6 listed producers over the past years during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.

Sachsen

(London Wine Competition)

Saxony, the third-smallest German wine region, is primarily located along the banks of the Elbe River. It is also one of only two German wine regions located within the boundaries of former East Germany. Officially located within the German federal state of Saxony, this wine region is sometimes referred to as “the Elbe Valley.”

Geographically, Saxony is located in southeastern Germany, near the border with the Czech Republic. It has a relatively temperate climate (especially for Germany), thanks primarily to the moderating influence of the Elbe. In terms of soil quality for wine grapes, Saxony is most similar to Austria’s Wachau region. The microclimate, however, is decidedly northern, and that has largely dictated which grape varietals to plant along the hillsides of the Elbe Valley.

While Riesling is a popular white grape varietal in Saxony, it is not the most popular. That honor goes to Müller-Thurgau, which accounts for 18.4% of all wine production, as compared to 14.5% for Riesling. Other popular grape varietals include Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), at 11.9%, and Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir), at 8.1%. Nearly all wines (90%) from this region are characterized and labeled as dry wines.

The winemaking tradition in Saxony dates back to 1161, when winemakers gathered in the city of Meissen. For nearly 1,000 years, then, the wine has been part of the unique cultural and socio-economic life of Saxony. Wines from this region might not be well known internationally, but they have a ready domestic market for German wine drinkers who are fans of Riesling and Müller-Thurgau wines.

Visiting Sachsen Producers

Martin Schwarz - 4/5 Stars

Pictures: Martin Schwarz, Weingut Martin Schwarz, and Annette Schiller. See: Dresden is the New Unlikely Place for Fine Barolo Wine: Weingut Martin Schwarz – Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Martin Schwarz (VDP) in Meissen, Sachsen, with Philipp Henke - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Klaus Zimmerling - 3.5/5 Stars

Picture: Malgorzata Chodakoska (Weingut Klaus Zimmerling) at the Foot of the Rysselkuppe Vineyard. See: Visit of Weingut Klaus Zimmerling: The Wines of Klaus Zimmerling and the Art of his Wife Malgorzata Chodakoska - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Aust - 3/5 Stars

Picture: Karl Friedrich Aust, Weingut Karl Friedrich Aust, Sachsen, Germany. See: Weingut Karl Friedrich Aust in Radebeul, Sachsen: Tour and Lunch with Tasting – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schloss Wackerbarth - 3/5 Stars

Picture: Visit and Tasting at the Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Pictures: Tour and Tasting at Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Schuh - 3/5 Stars